Mumbai, October 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, has busted an international smuggling syndicate operating through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), seizing more than 8.5 kg of gold worth around Rs 12.64 crore and 1,168.97 carats of diamonds valued at approximately Rs 1.09 crore.
Eight people, including an airport staff member, six international transit passengers and an Indian passenger, have been arrested in connection with the operation, code-named “Operation Carat-Karat Nexus”.
According to the DRI, the operation was launched based on specific intelligence about the movement of gold into India and diamonds out of the country through the airport.
Six international transit passengers — four Bangladeshi nationals and two Sri Lankan nationals — had arrived on separate flights from Dubai, Doha, Jeddah and Fujairah. They were intercepted by DRI officers in the transit area while allegedly handing over gold capsules to an airport staff member before their onward journeys to Dhaka and Singapore.
The gold had allegedly been concealed in the form of capsules containing gold dust mixed with wax. The airport staff member was allegedly caught while receiving the capsules, which were intended to be taken out of the airport clandestinely.
The DRI also intercepted the airport employee while allegedly handing over diamonds to an Indian passenger travelling to Dubai.
During the operation, officials recovered 23 capsules containing 24-karat gold dust in wax form. The gold weighed 8.564 kg gross and was valued at approximately Rs 12.64 crore.
The agency also seized 1,168.97 carats of natural and lab-grown diamonds valued at around Rs 1.09 crore.
The DRI said the arrests and seizures had exposed an organised network allegedly involved in trafficking high-value commodities into and out of India through the international airport.
The agency said the operation reflects its continued focus on intelligence-led enforcement against organised smuggling networks and efforts to safeguard India’s financial and economic security.
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